Riverdale Solicitation Lawyer

An arrest on charges of soliciting a prostitute can have serious consequences, but those pale in comparison to what happens if you are ultimately found guilty. In addition to harming your personal and professional reputation, there is the potential for fines or even incarceration. 

You have the right to fight these charges with a skilled criminal defense attorney by your side. A Riverdale solicitation lawyer could review the allegations against you before providing you with the strongest possible defense. 

What Counts as Solicitation?

Solicitation involves a request for another party to commit a crime. This can apply to a wide range of activities but mostly applies to soliciting the services of a prostitute. 

This offense does not require any sexual acts to occur. Time crime involves merely asking another person to engage in unlawful behavior; it does not matter if the other party actually agrees. It is a crime to solicit someone who has no intention of exchanging sex acts for money. 

The consequences of a conviction can be serious and long-lasting. If convicted, a defendant could face as much as a year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. While first-time offenders do not usually face such steep penalties, an attorney in Riverdale could help reduce potential solicitation penalties.

More Serious Penalties

These penalties can also increase in severity, depending on the nature of the crime. For example, the accused could be charged with a felony if they solicited near schools or churches. The consequences are especially severe if the defendant knew the person was a trafficking victim or a minor. 

In addition to these penalties, there are also collateral consequences to consider. Someone with a conviction on their record could lose their job or find it difficult to find appropriate housing. It could also impact other areas of their life, like child custody proceedings. Fighting these charges is crucial, and the right legal team can help. 

Potential Defense Strategies

Solicitation charges are often defensible. In some cases, the state might drop the case entirely based on the weakness of the evidence. In other situations, a jury in Riverdale could acquit the accused of all wrongdoing. A lawyer experienced in solicitation cases could develop a strategy that makes these favorable outcomes possible. 

Innocence

Many arrests are based on honest mistakes. When the police take an aggressive approach to sweep prostitutes out of a certain area, they occasionally charge innocent people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The prosecutor has the burden of proving their case beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Entrapment

An uncommon defense that can be successful at times is entrapment. The police are known for running sting operations with the hopes of catching someone soliciting an undercover officer. While these tactics are legal, there is a firm line the state cannot cross. If law enforcement pushes a person who would not have otherwise committed a crime into doing so through threats or intimidation, the accused could successfully rely on an entrapment defense. 

Reach Out to an Attorney in Riverdale About Solicitation Charges

If you were arrested for this offense, your next steps are crucial. Seeking legal help right away can improve your chances of success. 

Let a Riverdale solicitation lawyer serve as your advocate throughout this process. Reach out today for a private consultation.